1. Analyses the connection between sustainable energy development and transition towards carbon neutral society. 2. Compares and discusses advanced multi-criteria decision making tools to support sustainable energy options. 3. Develops new frameworks of indicators for the assessment of sustainable energy technologies in various energy sectors. 4. Provides policy implications when promoting sustainable energy development. 5. Presents case studies on the applications of multi-criteria tools to support sustainable energy options in transport and households.

This monograph addresses the methodological and empirical issues relevant for the development of sustainable agriculture, with a particular focus on Eastern Europe. It relates economic growth to the other dimensions of sustainability by applying integrated methods. The book comprises five chapters dedicated to the theoretical approaches towards sustainable rural development, productivity analysis, structural change analysis and environmental footprint. The book focuses on the transformations of the agricultural sector while taking into account economic, environmental, and social dynamics. The importance of agricultural transformations to the livelihood of the rural population and food security are highlighted. Further, advanced methodologies and frameworks are presented to fathom the underlying trends in different facets of agricultural production. The authors present statistical methods used for the analysis of agricultural sustainability along with applications for agriculture in the European Union. Additionally, they discuss the measures of efficiency, methodological approaches and empirical models. Finally, the book applies econometric and optimization techniques, which are useful for the estimation of the production functions and other representations of technology in the case of the European Union member states. Therefore, the book is a must-read for researchers and students of agricultural and production economics, as well as policy-makers and academia in general.

The growing inequality in the global economy across the planet is reaching unprecedented levels. This book seeks to develop frameworks for the assessment of excessive inequality and its impact on social-economic progress and sustainable development. It begins by summarizing the theoretical approaches of economic inequality, its specificity, and questioning what economic inequality really is and how it progresses. Next, the book explores issues of methodology for addressing the growing excessive economic inequality. It then applies these concepts to examine inequality across a range of the European Union (EU) countries. A variety of factors are considered, such as the impact of economic inequality on socio-economic progress, when normal inequality turns into excessive inequality, and its impact on economic growth, quality of life, and the environmental sustainability across different groups.

This book gives an overview of the latest technologies in the Industry 4.0, using smart and autonomous systems driven by data and machine learning, to develop a sustainable approach to manufacturing. It includes the implementation of smart technological approaches in different manufacturing processes such as laser welding, additive manufacturing, equipment maintenance and inspection, automotive manufacturing, poultry processing, supply chain management, value stream mapping and development. This book caters to research experts and practitioners who are keen to realize the benefits of industry 4.0 to transform the manufacturing sector into a more sustainable-based state.

Climate Change and Sustainable Development: Mitigation and Adaptation focuses on the link between climate change threats and sustainable development goals. This book analyzes the polices of climate change mitigation and adaptation from an economic point of view by addressing globalization, international trade, and business opportunities and challenges. Based on extended research on energy, transportation, agriculture, and more, the case studies included in this book present business opportunities linked to mitigation and adaptation actions; from European Union greenhouse gas emission trading to climate change adaptation policies in developing countries. It presents a framework for the harmonization of climate and sustainable development policies and their mutual outcomes. Specific features: The first book to address main scientific aspects of climate change mitigation and sustainable development and how to deal with these main challenges in a harmonized way Provides practical examples of policies and business development opportunities linked with climate change mitigation and adaptation Analyses climate change challenges and provides implications for business development and good practice case studies from Europe Discusses issues of climate change at different scales ranging from macro to micro level Highlights the importance of climate change adaptation for developing countries, migration trends, city developments and agriculture As the threat of climate change grows ever more present, resources like this book, that provide and discuss necessary solutions and frameworks for ways to deal with and mitigate that threat become ever more essential. This book is a vital resource for academics, students, and professionals in any field seeking to deal with the threats from climate change, and particularly those relating to environmental and climate sciences, as well as those in political and economic fields.

This book aims to develop a framework for the assessment of population 'preferences in climate change mitigation policies by applying a Willingness to Pay (WTP) approach and presents the results from several case studies in Lithuania on renewable energy generation and renovation in different households. These analyses of climate change mitigation policies and measures, based on the assessment of their effectiveness, provide recommendations for developing innovative measures in other countries. Since public preferences are variable, climate change mitigation policies can change these preferences and allow to form new ones. Features: Analyses social benefits of climate change mitigation measures and their integration methods based on assessment of public preferences. Presents several practical case studies on energy needs where the Willingness to Pay framework was applied. Discusses climate change mitigation barriers in energy sector and the effectiveness of climate change mitigation policies to overcome them. Provides a novel approach for climate change mitigation policies development in households. Includes useful information for evaluating and planning policies related to renewable energy investment. This book is a useful reference for those in the academic, research, and business communities, policy makers, graduate students, and professionals involved with climate change mitigation projects.

This book deals with the main challenges of sustainable development and the role of sustainable business and corporate social responsibility in implementing these challenges through sustainable leadership and innovations. It includes the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability and emphasizes the importance of achieving a socio-environmental balance in society. The theoretical frameworks and insights from sustainable development implementations on macro and micro levels, as well as the practical examples and case studies provided to introduce the concept of sustainable leadership and its impact on sustainable business development, are a scientific novelty in the field of sustainability. The book is comprised of six interconnected chapters that sequentially reveal the principal provisions of sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable leadership, together with their correlations. Features: * Provides cutting-edge examples and case studies of sustainable leadership, viewed as the most significant means for the creation of sustainable organizational culture * Includes case studies on the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability * Addresses scientific aspects of sustainable development and its challenges * Discusses issues of sustainable development at different scales, ranging from macro to mirco levels * Provides policy implications for sustainable business development The theoretical framework and practical case studies presented in Sustainable Development, Leadership, and Innovations make it an invaluable resource and guide to both the academic and business communities. Business leaders, policy makers, and other professionals, as well as academics and graduate students, will all benefit greatly from this text.

This monograph addresses the methodological and empirical issues relevant for the development of sustainable agriculture, with a particular focus on Eastern Europe. It relates economic growth to the other dimensions of sustainability by applying integrated methods. The book comprises five chapters dedicated to the theoretical approaches towards sustainable rural development, productivity analysis, structural change analysis and environmental footprint. The book focuses on the transformations of the agricultural sector while taking into account economic, environmental, and social dynamics. The importance of agricultural transformations to the livelihood of the rural population and food security are highlighted. Further, advanced methodologies and frameworks are presented to fathom the underlying trends in different facets of agricultural production. The authors present statistical methods used for the analysis of agricultural sustainability along with applications for agriculture in the European Union. Additionally, they discuss the measures of efficiency, methodological approaches and empirical models. Finally, the book applies econometric and optimization techniques, which are useful for the estimation of the production functions and other representations of technology in the case of the European Union member states. Therefore, the book is a must-read for researchers and students of agricultural and production economics, as well as policy-makers and academia in general.

This book deals with the main challenges of sustainable development and the role of sustainable business and corporate social responsibility in implementing these challenges through sustainable leadership and innovations. It includes the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability and emphasizes the importance of achieving a socio-environmental balance in society. The theoretical frameworks and insights from sustainable development implementations on macro and micro levels, as well as the practical examples and case studies provided to introduce the concept of sustainable leadership and its impact on sustainable business development, are a scientific novelty in the field of sustainability. The book is comprised of six interconnected chapters that sequentially reveal the principal provisions of sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable leadership, together with their correlations. Features: * Provides cutting-edge examples and case studies of sustainable leadership, viewed as the most significant means for the creation of sustainable organizational culture * Includes case studies on the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability * Addresses scientific aspects of sustainable development and its challenges * Discusses issues of sustainable development at different scales, ranging from macro to mirco levels * Provides policy implications for sustainable business development The theoretical framework and practical case studies presented in Sustainable Development, Leadership, and Innovations make it an invaluable resource and guide to both the academic and business communities. Business leaders, policy makers, and other professionals, as well as academics and graduate students, will all benefit greatly from this text.

Sustainability assessment is the core instrument for implementing sustainable development targets. The energy sector is playing a crucial role in achieving sustainable development in the country, as energy consumption is the main driver of economic growth; it also has the biggest environmental impact, and therefore sustainability assessment in the energy sector requires special attention. Sustainability Assessment in the Energy Sector consists of seven chapters: in the first chapter, the sustainability concept is described; in the second chapter, sustainability assessment concepts are reviewed and discussed; in the third chapter, sustainability assessment tools and methods are summarized and described; in the fourth chapter, the main problems of sustainable energy development are addressed; in the fifth chapter, externalities in the energy sector are introduced; in the sixth chapter, sustainability assessment tools applicable to the energy sector are categorized; and finally, in the seventh chapter, practical examples of sustainability assessment in the energy sector are provided by covering sustainability assessment of electricity and district heat generation technologies. These methods include the assessment of external costs of electricity generation, sustainability assessment of electricity and transport technologies based on the GHG emission costs and carbon intensities of these technologies. The final chapter also discusses the sustainability assessment of policies and measures for energy sector development scenarios. The book was prepared by summarizing research findings in the field of sustainability assessment in the energy sector, which was conducted by the author of this book over a period of ten years.

The Evaluation of the Impact of Natural Monopolies on the National Economy and Competitiveness provides an original approach and develops an original model for analyzing and evaluating the impact of energy market liberalization on competitiveness of Lithuania. The main scientific objective of this monograph is to develop a model for the assessment of impact of natural monopolies on competitiveness and apply this model in the energy sector. It is the hope of the author to define the best measures for mitigating negative impacts of monopolies in the energy sector. The structure of the monograph is determined by its objectives and consists of four chapters. Chapter One is dedicated to setting the theoretical background and explain the relationship between natural monopolies and countries' competitiveness, analyzing concept, features of natural monopolies and reasons for their regulation, as well as its relation to economic subjects in the country. Chapter Two presents the broad review of the Lithuanian energy sector and natural monopolies in electricity, natural gas and district heat sectors; it discusses their liberalization processes and stages of market opening. Chapter Three analyses and systematizes results of studies dealing with the impacts of the energy market opening on energy prices and competiveness. Chapter Four presents the model for multi-criteria assessments of the impact of energy market liberalization on competitiveness of Lithuania and its empirical testing on the Lithuanian power sector.